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Commerce and Industry

Consumer Protection

Consumer Council

The Consumer Council is a statutory body which protects and promotes the interests of consumers of goods and services and purchasers, mortgagors and lessees of immovable property. The council comprises 22 members (including the Chairman and Vice-chairman).

The council's services include testing of consumer products, market surveys, price surveillance, complaint and enquiry handling, advising the government and public authorities on consumer protection issues, and consumer education. It also administers the Consumer Legal Action Fund, which enhances consumer access to legal remedies.

In 2013, 43 product tests, 23 survey projects and 28 in-depth studies were completed. The council publishes the findings of its product tests and surveys together with practical advice to the public through its monthly magazine, CHOICE.

In 2013, the council received 30,006 consumer complaints and 114,659 consumer enquiries.

The council also monitors trade practices and addresses competition-related issues that may have implications on consumer interests. In 2013, it conducted studies on various topics (eg competition in the grocery market) and expressed its views to the government on consumer- related subjects (eg amendments to the professional investor regime and the client agreement requirements).

In 2013, the council organised a number of awards for the media and the public to increase awareness of consumer rights. The council maintains close contact with overseas and Mainland counterparts, and collaborates with them in handling consumer complaints from tourists and formulates measures to enhance consumer welfare.

Enforcement of Consumer Protection Legislation

The Customs and Excise Department carries out spot checks and investigations to ensure that toys, children's products and consumer goods supplied in Hong Kong are safe, that the quantity of goods supplied in the course of trade by weight and other measures is accurate, and to guard against misstatements and unfair trade practices in respect of goods and services. In 2013, the department carried out 8,339 spot checks and concluded 1,947 investigations.

The Government Laboratory provides analytical and advisory services to the Customs and Excise Department in the enforcement of consumer protection legislation. In 2013, the laboratory carried out 33,855 tests to check the compliance of toys, children's products and consumer goods with relevant safety standards, and to determine the weight of retailed goods. Where necessary, it conducted on-site investigations in support of the enforcement of the Weights and Measures Ordinance. The laboratory also carried out 6,121 tests to examine the authenticity of commodities and the correctness of trade descriptions in relation to investigations under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.

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